An innovation: EA Sports Virtual Playbook.
Self-serving? You bet. But a brilliant technology that has revolutionized sports
broadcasting analysis.

A business decision: Unloading Manny Ramirez in the
trade that brought Jason Bay to Boston. The circus leaves town to be replaced
by a classy and reliable all-star. Gutsy call, Theo.

A pro league business initiative: NBA investment in international
markets.

A decision-maker: Roger Goodell. His decisiveness
in dealing with NFL players’ off-the-field transgressions have shielded the
league from what could have been a much more negative PR situation.

WhatI Like
About …

My job: Being able to provide tens of
millions of video gamers with personal access to the emotion of sports. Oh, and
having the EA SPORTS bar 20 feet from my desk.

Competing in this business: I marvel every day at how our
development teams bring sports to life on the screen.

Sports fans: Unbridled optimism. “This is the
year …”

WhatI Would
Like To …

Reintroduce: The glowing puck in hockey. I
love to watch the game in person, but if you want me to watch the game on TV,
provide me with half a clue as to where the puck is … and I know I am in the
minority on this one.

See different: How do we build promotion and
relegation into American sports?

Change: Goal-line cameras in soccer. Goals are hard enough to
come by without the officials missing it when the ball crosses the line.

WhatI Don’t
Like …

In general: Poor manners. Did your mother
teach you nothing?

In sports: Overtime in the NFL. C’mon, learn
from college and let both offenses have a shot at the end zone.

In sports business: Transfer fees in European club
soccer. Real Madrid pays a combined $275 million for Ronaldo, Kaka and Benzema?
What price for chemistry?

In sports facilities: $12 beers.

In my job: Having to explain to passionate
fans why we can’t make a video game of every sport.

Time of year: Fall
… baseball playoffs, English Premier League, college football … bliss.

Music: Hip-hop, rap, classic rock.

Books: “Quiet
Strength,” by Tony Dungy. “The Last Lion,” by William Manchester. “Business@The
Speed of Thought,” by Bill Gates.

Blogs: BostonDirtDogs, Kotaku, Joystiq,
Failblog.org.

Authors: William Manchester.

Ideas: Livestrong.

Gadgets: Flip Video Camera.

Hobbies: Running.

Trips: World Cup every four years — a
pilgrimage to pay homage to The Beautiful Game.

Movies: Still laughing at “The Hangover.”

Concerts: U2, Coldplay.

Food: Can’t beat a good Indian curry.

Dessert: Spotted Dick Pudding (no, I’m not
kidding. Look it up.).

Drink: Cabernet Sauvignon (and, being
English, any decent beer).

Vacation spots: Turks and Caicos Islands.

Cars: Aston Martin.

Singers: Ne-Yo, Usher.

Quote: “The pessimist sees the difficulty
in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” —
Sir Winston Churchill. “Football is not a matter of life or death; it’s much
more important than that.” — Bill Shankly